new low budget gaming build

[g5insider]

what if i went for something like this


cpu

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80562Q6600
http://www.newegg.com/product/prod [...] 6819115017

MoBo

XFX MB-N680-ISH LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/product/prod [...] 6813141003

GPU

XFX PVT80GTHF4 GeForce 8800GTS 640MB 320-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/product/prod [...] 6814150204

power supply

OCZ GameXStream OCZ850GXSSLI ATX12V v2.2 and EPS12V 850Watts Power Supply 100 - 240 V CB, CE, CSA, UL
http://www.newegg.com/product/prod [...] 6817341003

HDD

Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD3200AAKS 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16822136074

i need ram
and a case

not sure if i wanna do liquid cooling
might use lots of fans

if there is a way of saving any money please tell me
i need suggestions and comments

$1,169.95 is what it costs so far for this build at newegg
but everything is cheaper at tigerdirect lol

 

[Gravemind123]

You'd get better performance dropping the mobo down to a P35 based board like the GigaByte P35-DS3R or Asus P5K and the power supply to a Corsair HX620. SLI isn't really worth the price premium on it for the amount of performance you get. It is cheaper to just save money on the mobo and use it for a new video card later, when your 8800 starts to lag a bit.

850W is overkill, and the OCZ GameXStream isn't the most stable line of PSUs when it comes to voltages. The Corsair HX620 is a rebranded SeaSonic(some of the nicest PSUs out there) and can easily handle any single GPU setup and even any dual-GPU setup you can currently get, and should handle any single GPU setup for a while.

For the ram, 2GB should be enough if gaming is your main focus, so try for a 2GB kit of DDR2-800, something with 4-4-4-12 timings, the Crucial Ballistix are high quality.

Cases are really a matter of personal preference, I like Lian-Li's, but whatever you think looks good.

 

[g5insider]

well the mobo u suggested didnt really get good reviews and my video card when in sli mode requires about 700 watts any other suggestions please let me know

 

[zenmaster]

Closer to needing 500-550w than 700w.

Also, you will want to wait until Next week and get the 8800GT.
Based on rumoers, It will be faster, cheaper, and require less power.


http://www.tomshardware.com/2007/08/21/energy-efficient_computing_options/page5.html#single_graphics_cards

Your GPU uses 120w under load. (x2)
Assume the CPU uses 120w under load due to OC.

You are looking at 360w here and are accounting for most of your system.

Add in 15w for HDD, 30w for Mobo, 20w for RAM, 15w for CD, and you are now up to 440w. Toss in some case fans and you should not break 500w.

Swap out the GPUs for the 8800GTs and you probably down to the low to mid 400s for full load.

 

[g5insider]

well if i decide to put in two gpu's will a 600w psu be ok

any suggestions on good psu's that maintain stable voltage levels

and does the rest of the hardware look ok

 

[zenmaster]

Anything by Corsair, Seasonic, or PC Power and Cooling in the 600+ range. (There are all very similar since they are all made by Seasonic on the same platform.)

If not going Dual GPU, you can get some of the lower wattage ones of the same line.

Silverstone also make great PSUs.

There are many other good ones as well, but those three tend to be very popular based on price/quality.

 

[Gravemind123]

My personal choice is the 600W modular SeaSonic, the Silverstone SST-60F(600W) or the Corsair HX620W, as they are all modular and high quality PSUs.

And about the reviews on the motherboards, if they are just newegg reviews, ignore them. Newegg reviewers are stupid. Actual review sites like Bit-Tech and Legit Reviews gave the GigaByte P35-DS3R good reviews.